After Life (1998) is deeply profound yet endlessly cosy and borderline in my top 5 favourite films ever made. I’m looking forward to hearing Huber’s thoughts on it and the other Koreeda masterpieces - as well as that and Shoplifters, the other two I’m fairly confident using the word masterpiece for are Maborosi and Still Walking, though even then that’s if I’m being as critical and as removing-of-all-personal-biases as possible.

I like The Acolyte. I do wish it had more of a visual identity, but I’ve enjoyed seeing the mystery unwind and the new characters and factions of this new time in the Old Republic. I honestly really like how “combative and antagonistic” the creatives have been, because someone needs to push back against the outspoken minority of Star Wars “fans” who are… let’s just call them ‘gatekeepers’ to be diplomatic. They’ve had free rein over the internet since 2017, and now this show is the moment where the true fandom goes full Picard and says, “The line must be drawn here!” So far, there have been two kinds of Star Wars and Marvel shows: ones that are like movies spread across 4 or 5 hours, like Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Boba Fett, and ones that are more rooted in traditional TV formats, like Mandalorian and Andor, which, while serialized, is clearly broken into arcs. I feel like, so far, The Acolyte splits the difference, but still errs on the side of “movie spread across 4 or 5 hours,” and will thus play better when viewed all together. But also, if you don’t like it, that’s fine, too!

Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford! I cry every time. I own the score, it is the best score of the century, full stop, and the film is one of my favorites, and while I love a number of great westerns, I would not call myself a Western fan in general. Also love: Sorcerer Tron Black Cauldron Donnie Darko Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut) Heaven's Gate

In regards to Twin Peaks, I also find The Missing Pieces (FWWM deleted scenes) an essential watch. There are scenes and elements in there that The Return follows up on. And the pacing of it anticipates the pacing in The Return making it a great transition from classic Twin Peaks.

Huber, Roland Emmerich isn’t doing The Strangers trilogy. It’s Renny Harlin! I interviewed him about it during NYCC! And yes, I’d love to be on the show at some point! Have your people call my people. Alas, I’m like Han Solo: I have no people.

HUBER, after Shoplifters watch Air Doll.... sooooo good.